2. amps-preamps
  3. 1171816839

Tube dampers?

My system consist of Shanling STP 80 and T200 cd player, I have been looking around for tube dampers and I found some o-rings and other types of dampers, dont know which ones will work better for my setup since my El 34 electro harmonix and WE 396A/GE 5670W have a metal type cage around them so I dont know if I will have enough room to play with when it comes to tube dampers. I did look into Brass, O-Ring and Herbies type of dampers however I dont know much about any of them. Any advise?

I've heard about ARC, Herbies, Mapleshade and other vendors, some cheap and some $$$ If you recommend a product please please provide me with a link so I can lookup the information. Not looking to break the bank but do some worthwhile improvements.

Thanks, Robert
chgolatin2
johnmcalpin
58 posts
 
I have giant brass dampers on my 6SN7s for my preamp. Got them from Andy at VTS. I haven't seen them on his Web site for a while, however.

I won't use the preamp without them. They give amazing heft to the image, and clarity in the low end.

I'm using Herbies on my 12au7 and 12ax7 signal tubes in the power amp. Not as dramatic a change as the preamp tube dampers, but I haven't taken them out yet.

I recall a small brass version from Andy for the signal tubes but haven't seen them either.
garyb6
25 posts
 
I was using some NO$ Amperex HOlland and American version 7308's but have recently switched to NOS Russian with Herbies HAL-0 9s. In my system I prefer the latter, better extension and presence than the Amperex. I wish I had tried this before spending hundreds on tubes. YMMV
lkdog
417 posts
 
"Doesn't the tape hold heat in?"

You have to see it. It is more like very thin ribbon.
Caused no heat problems that I was aware of and is apparently a common tweak.

It made a positive difference for me on my phonostage.
groberts3's avatar
groberts3
38 posts
 
Is there a placement position for the Herbie tube dampers that seems to work best? I read that somewhere between mid-way and higher seems to be best. I haven't really experimented all that much with their placement. Thanks for any suggestions
dbld
297 posts
 
Has anyone tried the brass damper and the Herbies to see what differences there might be?

I have seen that Mapleshade sells some brass ones, but I also wander about the heat issue. Mapleshade claims they help dissipate the heat.
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